1992 Mercury Tracer Diesels, Won't Start

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RDRAUGHON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 1992 Mercury Tracer with a 1.9 L engine with 117000 miles on it. The engine will not fully start up and when you turn the key off the car still tries to run (diesels), Thinking that the car had jumped time, I decided to replaced the timming belt. When I checked the timming marks all were lined up as they should be, having the car apart I went ahead and replaced the belt any way. Marks were still lined up as they should be. Still the car diesels and will not fully start. Checked the ignition module and replaced it because the original showed that it did not pass the test. Put the new module in and the car still diesels and will not start up or run. Spark plugs and wires and fuel filter have been replaces. Oxyger sensor has been replaced, all this has been done in the last 4 weeks. I am at my witts end and the repair manual keeps saying timeing could it be the timing sensor gone bad? I give up, help.
Feb 5, 2007 at 12:35 AM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have you checked you distrbutor? Small part, big consequences! If you know how to check dwell hook up the meter and then rev engine see if the dwell changes more than 5 degrees. If yes you found your issue! But it already sounds like it to me.
Change the TFI mod with it!
Mar 6, 2007 at 7:04 AM

Suggested Repair

Check distributor dwell while revving the engine. If dwell changes more than 5 degrees, replace the distributor and replace the TFI ignition module with it.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1992 Mercury Tracer 1.9L says the engine will not fully start and continues trying to run (diesels) after the key is turned off. The timing belt, ignition module, spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, and oxygen sensor were already replaced, and the timing marks were confirmed aligned. The expert advises checking the distributor and dwell, and replacing the distributor along with the TFI module if dwell varies more than 5 degrees.

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